Donaldson: How smart is Ed Cooley?

The PC coach was nothing short of brilliant in the closing seconds of the second overtime Tuesday night against Marquette at the Dunk.

By Jim Donaldson

The PC coach was nothing short of brilliant in the closing seconds of the second overtime Tuesday night against Marquette at the Dunk.

LaDontae Henton had just driven to the basket to bring the Friars within one of the Eagles, 80-79, with 10 seconds left when Cooley quickly called a timeout.

Well aware that the possession arrow favored the Friars, Cooley left his team huddle and approached an official near the PC bench, telling him that the Friars were not going to foul. Instead, if they couldn’t steal the inbounds pass, they were going to try to force a jump ball situation.

It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision.

It’s a situation Cooley has his Friars practice for, something he has spent time throughout the course of the season preparing for.

They were ready. They knew what to do. And they caught the Eagles by surprise.

Marquette was expecting the Friars to foul whatever player caught the inbounds pass.

So, when Jake Thomas caught the ball, he wrapped both hands and arms around it and covered up, waiting to be fouled.

But, when Thomas pivoted away from one defender, trying to use up precious seconds, he turned right into Bryce Cotton, who wasted no time putting his hands on the ball.

Jump ball, the officials ruled.

Which meant the ball belonged to the Friars.

“Coach drew up a play to try to set up a trap,” Cotton said. “If their guy was anticipating that we were going to foul him, we were going to try to tie him up.”

That’s exactly what happened.

After which, Cotton was fouled as he was catching the inbounds pass and calmly made both free throws to enable the Friars to win a thriller, 81-80.

Afterwards, Marquette’s colorful coach, Buzz Williams — who not only lost the game, but also his voice after yelling over the crowd noise to his players — hoarsely complimented Cooley.

“I have the utmost respect for (Cooley),” Williams croaked. “I think he has done an incredible job this season. He’s had some bad luck with things that were out of his control. He’s got his guys playing well.”